Courses Advise -choosing final year undergrad courses

AI Thread Summary
Choosing final year undergraduate modules should align with future goals in financial mathematics. The student has already selected courses in complex analysis, functional analysis, stochastic processes, and advanced numerical analysis, and is considering a dissertation on measure theory or the Perron-Frobenius theorem. Recommendations suggest avoiding algebraic geometry and representation theory due to their limited relevance to financial math, while nonlinear systems and asymptotic analysis may offer practical applications. Asymptotic analysis focuses on the limiting behavior of functions, which could be beneficial for financial modeling. Ultimately, selecting modules that enhance understanding of linear algebra, analysis, differential equations, and probability theory is crucial for success in an MSc program.
gomes.
Messages
58
Reaction score
0
Advise --choosing final year undergrad courses

I need to pick my module choices for my 3rd and final year, and I am stuck on the final few modules I should choose.

For my final year, I already plan to do courses in complex analysis, functional analysis, stochastic processes, and advanced numerical analysis (Numerical ordinary differential equations//Numerical solutions to PDE's and ODE's), and I plan to do a dissertation on measure theory/lebesgue integration, or Perron–Frobenius theorem.

I am left to choose 2 more modules from the following below, may I ask for advice on choosing my modules? My intention is to do an MSc in financial maths, bearing in mind where universities usually ask for an emphsis in linear algebra, analysis, differential equations and probability theory..
I need to choose from:
1. Lie group and lie algebra
2. Representation Theory
3. Asymptotic analysis
4. Quantum mechanics
5. Algebraic geometry
6. Nonlinear systems with applications to biology (contains stuff on DE's, but related to biology??)

Any advice on which 2 of the 6 i should choose? I am thinking of doing representation theory (as it has stuff on linear algebra) and algebraic geometry, but any advise?
==============================================
And for my dissertation, i plan to do either measure theory/lebesgue integration OR the perron-frobenius theorem. Any recommendations?
 
Physics news on Phys.org


What is asymptotic analysis abou? That certainly looks interesting to somebody going for financial math. Also the course on nonlinear systems look could have some benefits for you.

As for the algebraic geometry and representation theory: they are useles for measure theory and financial math. So if you expect your courses to be usable later, then don't take those. However, if it interests you, then take them. It doesn't really matter that much.
 


Thanks :)
 


micromass said:
What is asymptotic analysis abou?

My understanding from a brief discussion with a lecturer is that it is about the limiting behaviour of functions in special cases. A very simple example might be neglecting parts of an expression proportional to inverse temperature at very high temperatures.

Yes, I suspect non-linear systems will have use in financial modelling, but I wonder if you will cover sufficient material in your Numerical Analysis course - do you know if this treats non-linear DEs?
 
TL;DR Summary: I want to do a PhD in applied math but I hate group theory, is this a big problem? Hello, I am a second-year math and physics double major with a minor in data science. I just finished group theory (today actually), and it was my least favorite class in all of university so far. It doesn't interest me, and I am also very bad at it compared to other math courses I have done. The other courses I have done are calculus I-III, ODEs, Linear Algebra, and Prob/Stats. Is it a...
Yesterday, 9/5/2025, when I was surfing, I found an article The Schwarzschild solution contains three problems, which can be easily solved - Journal of King Saud University - Science ABUNDANCE ESTIMATION IN AN ARID ENVIRONMENT https://jksus.org/the-schwarzschild-solution-contains-three-problems-which-can-be-easily-solved/ that has the derivation of a line element as a corrected version of the Schwarzschild solution to Einstein’s field equation. This article's date received is 2022-11-15...
Back
Top